Through The Pieces Read Online Free PDF Page A

mind?" I asked, fishing for information.
    He broke out in a huge grin and looked over at me. That smile was panty melting. "I don't have a girlfriend."
    Oh. Without even thinking I added, "Why?" Not your business, Claire. Not your business .
    "I just haven't found one, I guess."
    We drove another ten minutes in silence until we entered the city and then headed in the direction of the lake. He pulled into a small condo complex and turned off the car. The exterior was attractive--gray brick with black shutters. Only four buildings. The back was nestled up against the lake, and I was instantly envious. I could see myself and Maggie somewhere similar, maybe an older home perched on the water’s edge. Buck got out and grabbed my overnight bag from the trunk. I followed him to the entryway. As he opened the door, I could hear my sister's laughter. God I needed this.
    "Claire?" Mel called from someplace in the condo. She came down the hall, her arms spread. I immediately closed the gap and pulled her against me. Tears formed in my eyes and didn't stop for quite some time. I felt another set of arms around us and knew it was Annie. After all the tears were shed, we released our hold on each other.
    "Let me see what that fuck head did," Mel insisted. She was the oldest and most opinionated and had made no secret of the fact that she did not think Scott and I were a good match. I pulled off my sunglasses and looked up at her.
    She immediately sucked in a breath. "Son of a bitch. I need a drink and so do you."
    I turned around to thank Buck, but he had already left. We continued down the hall, where it opened into a living room and kitchen with cathedral ceilings. It was minimally decorated but tidy and clean. I went over to the kitchen island to take a visual inventory of the alcohol on hand.
    "Are we having a party? I inquired.
    "Hell yeah! It's the ‘Scott will rot’ party for three." Oh boy, I was in for trouble. I make myself a whiskey Old Fashioned then another I soon lost count after four. We were all sitting on the living room floor, laughing and being silly, when Mel got serious and pointed her index finger at me.
    "If something had happened..." She paused. "I just don't know what I would have done if he..." She was choking up. I glanced over at Annie, who sat there looking young and afraid.
    "Mel and Annie, nothing happened to me. I’m fine now. I promise to never put you through that again. I'm sorry it took me this long to figure it out. I am also sorry for the times you begged me to leave and I didn't. But I want you to know, without a shred of doubt, I will never go back to him. It is over." They brushed away their tears and smiled at me. We got up and hugged it out.
    "Claire, you are not at fault here. We never blamed you for staying. We knew you would. It’s just hard to watch someone you love go through what you have and be powerless against it," Mel explained.
    "I love you so much," I told them. "Now let's have a shot!" This got them in the spirit. We went to the kitchen and had a shot of whiskey each. Poor Annie looked like she was seeing triple of everything. My phone buzzed alerting me to a text message.
    "Mel, can you get that? I am going to get Annie to the couch." I helped Annie over to the sofa and sat her down.
    "Buck says hope you are having fun!" Mel yelled.
    "Buck likes Claire," Annie sung like a child.
    "He is my doctor and friend. That is all."
    "I wouldn't mind him looking after me if I wasn't married. He could look at everything." Mel did this thing with her hands, showing me exactly what she meant.
    "Claire likes Buck!" Annie sang again.
    I ignored her this time. Trying to change the subject, I asked, "How long are you here, Mel?"
    "Just until tomorrow. I couldn't get any more time away, but I will be back in two weeks," she replied.
    "SHOT! SHOT! SHOTS!” Annie definitely did not need anymore. She jumped up and headed to the kitchen.
    "Thanks for coming, Mel."
    "Anytime. Smooches!"
    "Smooches back